Friday, 18 July 2008

The Thameslink Programme has three elements: Reconfiguring track and junctions so that more routes and more trains can run through the central section; Extending platforms at local stations so that 12 car trains can run; and completely rebuilding Farringdon, Blackfriars and London Bridge stations for both of the previous reasons.

Major work work doesn't start until next March, but preparatory works ("Key Output 0") are happening now. The most significant of these is the replacement of the interchange footbridge at the north end of Farringdon station, and work on that starts next month.

Here are your before and after shots:

And here's the diagrams on the back of the leaflet:

Handily reoriented so that north is at the top. Thameslink trains use the tracks on the left, London Underground the tracks on the right.

The new footbridge will double as a new entrance to the station, which will come in handy as a lot is happening at the south end where the existing entrance is.

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comments:

It was only three months ago that these works were announced as starting in May - it's been pushed back by one month, every month for the last three months now, and if they're not careful they won't be finished by the time the Moorgate branch is closed. Farringdon is busy enough as it is right now, so it is critical that the new footbridge and Turnmill Street exit are ready by 1 March 2009.

With a potential recession around the corner we can ill afford to let the Thameslink Programme fall further off schedule - the intended completion of Key Output 0 has already slipped by more than 2 months.

While the works are going on I'll get on/off at City Thameslink and London Blackfriars more often - unless I'm catching an EMT service I'll continue to avoid getting on at London St Pancras. If I'm travelling off-peak then I'll continue use any of the London Thameslink stations.

Anyone know whats going to happen to the Moorgate-Farringdon section once its closed? It would seem like a good spot for some sort of Waterloo & City Line shuttle line. I think there is a disused link to Liverpool Street that could be reactivated as well.

hex - these are advance works only, to allow for the increased NR/LU interchange following Moorgate branch closure. These are only a small part of the eventual changes - and they are down to NR not LUL anyway, Thameslink is a NR project.

Mr Thant, you're welcome. And many thanks for the link to the planning application - there is a wealth of diagrams available for the preliminary works.

Until I saw the diagrams I hadn't realised that the Turnmill Street exit would be for emergency purposes only - FCC just labelled it as a normal entrance/exit in their leaflet and, surprisingly, during the LondonTravelWatch Board Meeting of April 1.

I'm certain the planned preliminary works have not changed because the application was approved on February 25...

Its a pity if they don't use the Moorgate-Farringdon link for trains, but I suspect Mr Thant is right and that they will use it for sidings. There are just too many other ongoing schemes at the moment, and we are heading into a recession.

anon - I'm not sure what you mean by using the 'Farringdon - Moorgate link' for trains. It isn't going to be connected to NR, the 12 car platforms remove the junction. What use would LU have for it other than sidings?

I'm your resident mole, I've sat in meetings discussing the Farringdon advanced works. lots of well meaning Engineers struggling to make NR designers understand LUL standards and visa versa. Having to totally reconfigure such an important station while keeping it open is a nightmare. It's like performing a heart transplant while the patient is not only awake but expected to indulge in a spot of light boxing. Makes my head hurt.